CTV Two

Defibrillator used to rescue man

The right training and equipment helped save a man’s life at the Ottawa Athletic club, early this morning.

Paramedics confirm a man, 62, collapsed while running on a treadmill at the fitness club on Lancaster road.

Track employee Josh Goheen was the first to see the man fall.

“I was just kind of watching the track then saw a gentleman kind of sit down and then fall over,” says Goheen.

The 18-year-old called for help and ran to get the nearest defibrillator.

“Just kind of kicked into survival mode really. We're going to try and save this guy.”

Paramedics say the call came in at 6:34 this morning and were on the scene within 5 minutes.

By the time they arrived, staff and a doctor who was working out at the gym administered CPR and connected a defibrillator to the man’s heart. Paramedics shocked him with the device once more.

“I know him well. He's a gentleman who is fit, maybe had some issues with his heart in the past,” says Sheldon Nimijean, trainer supervisor at the club.

Paramedics say they inserted a breathing tube and intravenous line before taking the patient to the hospital.

By the time he arrived at hospital, he was alert, breathing on his own, and speaking to paramedics.

The Ottawa Athletic Club has two active defibrillator machines, one at the front desk and the other by the pool.

The man is a long-time member of the Ottawa Athletic Club. He remains at the Ottawa Hospital where he is recovering.

Just yesterday, Ottawa Councillor Stephen Blais collapsed while exercising at the Goodlife Fitness Club in Orleans. Staff performed CPR before he was rushed to hospital. Blais’ family said in a statement, the Councillor is “on the mend” at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.